Best Fairway Woods For High Handicapper (2018) – Buyer’s Guide

You want to upgrade your fairway game, but you also have a high handicap. Is that correct? Now many of us think that achieving such a goal with a high handicap is next to impossible. But I’m an optimist and experienced golfer. So I like to believe that you can make the struggle easier with the best fairway woods for high handicappers.

The most compelling aspect of fairway woods; they help in achieving longer distance. And when these are specifically crafted for high handicappers, the outcome is well-tuned to your capabilities. And golfing skills!

So let’s find out what such golf clubs have the ability to deliver! And here’s something you might appreciate about them. You can use fairway woods not only on that fairway. But also as an alternative to the driver for off tee shots!

Top 10 Best Fairway Woods for High Handicappers

The popular golfing industry gives you several options to choose from. And this applies to all types of golf clubs. So, for a buyer, the selection process can get confusing.

In that sense, not all golf equipment manufacturing companies create fairway woods in the same manner. So what I’ve done is picked brands that have managed to design the best fairway woods for high handicappers. Time to get to know them all!

1.TaylorMade Men’s M2 Fairway Wood – For Maximum Ball Speed

The TaylorMadeM2 is the perfect option if you want to increase ball speed. And the only feature that makes it possible is the unique Speed Pocket technology. So these are the kind of clubs for high handicappers you turn to for more speed. (Swing speed vs. ball speed)

Now let’s discuss Speed Pocket. The component gives you extra length and flex. This combines with the high-strength steel clubface. And the outcome is a drastic improvement in ball speed.

What’s more is that these best fairway woods for high handicappers also have a shallow clubface design. Such a structure improves spin and launch conditions. Even the carbon composite equipped crown offers the same advantage.

How about the shaft design? The TaylorMadeM2 is supplied with a durable graphite shaft. And the thing is available in all flexes. So you can pick whatever suits your needs and preferences the most.

And it’s not just the bold look that makes an impact. The feel of the M2 is also pretty remarkable. That’s because the wood offers the perfect balance throughout your swing action. In all, it means that you need not worry about important aspects.

The M2 is popular on the golfing market for many reasons. But as a high handicapper or beginner, you might value only a few. Like the club’s ability to deliver maximum forgiveness with impressive distances. And the fact that its Speed Pocket technology allows you to improve ball speed!

Now I know that the TaylorMadeM2Fairway Woods are long as well as forgiving clubs. But this doesn’t conceal the unpleasant truth. That the feedback is only limited, especially for off-center strikes.

We Like

​Hitting the TaylorMade wood straight and high is easy.

​Sweet spot is plenty large.

The shallow clubface enables excellent playability on all lies.

We Don't Like

There are no loft sleeve and adjustable weights.

The feedback on mishits is only average.

Dustin Johnson - M2 Fairway Testing

The product I’m currently reviewing scores the highest marks. At least as far as performance goes! These are one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers. And why wouldn’t they be when Callaway has managed to include different technologies into one club! So you can expect remarkable playability, ball speed, and forgiveness.

But first, let me talk about the most striking aspect of the Great Big Bertha. The club features OptiFit adjustability. It gives you 8 different options to decrease or increase that loft angle. This way, you can customize the shots. And for a high handicapper or beginner, this is great news!

Moving on, the forged face cup includes Hyper Speed technology. So you know that Callaway wants you to achieve maximum distance. Along with high speed! Even if you produce off-center strikes!

Furthermore, the clubhead is large enough. And with an extra surface, you get higher MOI. That also makes the Callaway Great Big Bertha Fairway Wood more forgiving. Plus, the shaft has a graphite construction. And the material is not only lightweight but also high performing.

So there’s no reason to think twice before buying this phenomenal Callaway model.

The Great Big Bertha is so great because of its OptiFit Adjustability. With this kind of a feature, it becomes easier to tune the club to your desired settings. The advantage of increasing or decreasing club loft is that it enables shot customization. And in my opinion, nothing is greater than that!

Everything about the club is up to the mark. Except for the head! That part of the Callaway wood is poor in quality. As it tends to dent sooner than expected!

We Like

​The Hyper Speed forged face cup improves ball speed.

​You can adjust the Callaway club to achieve ideal lie and loft angles.

Large, stable clubhead offers an exceptional feel.

We Don't Like

The grip size is too small.

Head is prone to denting easily.

Callaway Great Big Bertha Fairway Woods

3.Adams Golf Tight Lies Fairway Wood – For Budget-Friendly Golfers

So it’s the affordability of the Adams Golf Tight Lies Fairway Wood that you might appreciate the most. Not many fairway woods offer such an incredible combination of high performance and affordability. This means you have a lot to forward to with these best fairway woods for high handicappers.

The words “Tight Lies” in the product title points out to a huge advantage. And what’s that? The fact that you can use the Adams Golf fairway wood from the rough as well!

On top of that, the sole of the club has a tri-level structure. This particular component unlocks better performance on all types of terrain. Including fairway and rough!

And wait, that’s not even the best part. The most praiseworthy feature is the concealed crown slot along with the upside down construction. Such a composition creates low CG. So you get to experience incredible accuracy and speed. Despite being a high handicapper or beginner!

In all, the Adams Golf Tight Lies is one of the most forgiving fairway woods. And you know this because it’s a highly competitive model on the golfing market.

Do you know what the Ghost Slot mechanics have the ability to do? Such a technology hides the crown slot. While also increasing forgiveness and ball speed. On top of that, the upside down, low profile design offers a large enough impact area. With all these components, you get speed, accuracy, distance, and forgiveness. What more could you have asked for!

Now you should know that the Adams Golf Tight Lies Fairway Woods are difficult to hit. Even more so if you’re a high handicapper! But it’s not something you can’t grow into or get used to.

We Like

​The Adams Golf wood offers consistency in performance.

​It enables good ball contact from any lie.

Build quality and looks are excellent factors.

We Don't Like

Hitting the club is not easy.

Adams Commercial - Tight Lies Fairway Wood "WOW"

The Cobra Bio Cell Fairway Woods boast tons of features and benefits. The cool design and budget-friendly price tag are the first two that come to mind. But the most important one is associated with customization. So it’s safe for me to state that these best fairways woods for high handicappers offer just the kind of adjustability you desire.

Thanks to MyFly8 technology, the club gives you 8 different loft options. So you can maximize distance and optimize those yardage gaps. While also managing trajectory! Isn’t that the best news for high handicappers!

Moving on, the Cobra Bio Cell Fairway Wood also provides assistance with forgiveness and speed. And how is that? It’s due to the presence of the clubhead’s shallow, thin face. The generous sweet spot is another huge plus point in that department. It sends the ball flying high and fast. And that too with maximum accuracy!

So I’m not going to hesitate to point out that this particular model is the safest option for high handicappers.

You should know that I’m an experienced golfer. So whenever I hear Bio Cell, I immediately think of E9 Clubface technology. Cobra includes such a feature to extend the invaluable sweet zone. And this opens the door to low spin, high launch, and maximum distance. So in that sense, the Cobra Bio Cell Fairway Woods don’t disappoint.

But here’s a major drawback. Achieving the greatest distance and speed requires a set of powerful golf clubs. Am I right? So in that regard, the Cobra Bio Cell is a bit lacking.

We Like

​The Cobra wood offers 8-way loft adjustability.

​Face inserts allow extra clubface flex.

Draw/Neutral Bias Weighting enables straighter, longer fairway shots.

We Don't Like

It doesn’t have too much power to offer.

COBRA BiO CELL Fairway and Hybrid

It’s time find out everything about the TaylorMadeRocketballz Stage 2 Fairway Wood. The best fairway woods for high handicappers consist of special features. And it’s these components that make the clubs suitable for certain types of golfing skills. With that in mind, the TaylorMadeRocketballz Stage 2 has it all!

They are equipped with a high-strength rocket steel construction. This is useful for creating a faster and thinner flexing face. The presence of Speed Pocket technology is another element responsible for promoting ball speed. And maximizing distance!

As for versatility, the shallow head shape has a low profile. So that element brings tons of playability into action. And from all types of lies! You’ll also appreciate the thick-thin structure of the crown. That’s because what it does is redistribute weight to improve the CG location.

If that wasn’t enough, TaylorMade has also added a graphite shaft with an excellent grip. So you get all the assistance you need to improve swing speed.

With all these advanced features, you don’t have to worry about performance. The TaylorMadeRocketballz Stage 2 is well equipped to suit your skills. As a high handicapper or beginner!

Allow me to highlight the thick-thin composition of the crown. The design is such so it can not only save but redistribute the club weight. And when that happens, you get a straighter and longer ball fight down that fairway. So when using the TaylorMadeRocketballz Stage 2 Fairway Wood, that’s what you should expect.

Unfortunately, durability is not the strongest factor here. To be more specific, the shaft is plenty flexible but not durable. So you can’t use these clubs carelessly.

This is the first model on the list that features an offset design. And with it comes many advantages. So it’s time to get to know the Tour Edge Golf Hot Launch 2 Fairway Wood. But before I begin, allow me to point out that this option doesn’t drill a hole in your wallet. The product has an affordable price tag with an impressive performance level.

Moving on, these best fairway woods for high handicappers are created for effortless launch. And to deliver maximum distance! At the same time, you’ll appreciate the kind of forgiveness the club has to offer here. (Tips for high handicappers and beginners)

The higher launch, in particular, is the outcome of deep, low CG. Along with the shallow design of the clubface! The best part is that the Tour Edge Golf Hot Launch 2 offers different loft options. So you can pick a club based on what suits your golfing skills the most.

I would again like to highlight the shallow face structure. Because, personally, I found the design to be very useful! Especially for encouraging high launch conditions.

Another praiseworthy inclusion presents itself in the form of VFT technology. What variable thickness does is generate faster ball speed. Even if it’s a mishit!

So as a high handicapper, you won’t come across any major letdowns when hitting the Tour Edge fairway wood.

The one feature that contributes to the success of this pick is the deep, low CG placement. And why is that? The way the CG is installed provides three game-changing benefits. These include low spin, maximum forgiveness, and high launch.

But it’s the absence of adjustability for the loft that you might not like. When you have such a feature at your disposal, it becomes easier to shape those shots. But that’s not the deal here.

We Like

​The Tour Edge wood is lightweight and extra forgiving.

​The offset design counters fades and slices.

Durability is an impressive factor.

We Don't Like

Only right-hand orientation is available.

There’s no loft adjustability.

Tour Edge Hot Launch 2 Offset Fairway Wood

7.Callaway Men’s XR 16 Fairway Wood – For Maximum Distance

For distance, look no further than the Callaway XR 16 Fairway Wood. It’s an excellent option for high handicap golfers that want a forgiving club. The wide range of features the XR 16 has to offer is what makes it so famous. It’s time to get to know these features better.

To start with, these best fairway woods for high handicappers offer a large size clubhead. One that comes with low CG and lightweight crown! These are the kind of components all golfers take into account for fairway play.

Next in line is the complete shape of that head. The aerodynamic structure is such that it benefits high handicappers the most. As a result of which the speed is subjected to improvement. Plus, it creates more impact for longer shot distance. And that means you can also use the Callaway XR 16 on the tee.

What about the cup face? Now, this particular area consists of Hyper Speed technology. So you get a larger sweet zone and increased ball speed. All these elements combine to provide you with a club that ranks the highest in terms of forgiveness. And this is exactly what you require to gain additional distance.

I would like to use this section to highlight the aerodynamic clubhead shape. Such a phenomenal feature creates all the head speed you demand. So the Callaway fairway wood can live up to your expectation when it comes to flying far.

Here’s something that ranks as the most common issue when buying the best fairway woods for high handicappers. The majority of the clubs don’t come with head covers. Just like the Callaway XR 16 Fairway Wood.

We Like

​The Callaway wood is longer, hence more playable from any lie.

​Special cambered sole adds versatility.

The face cup is thinner and hotter to deliver speed and forgiveness.

We Don't Like

No headcover included.

Are The New XR 16 Drivers & Fairway Woods Really That Forgiving?

If you’re a beginner or high handicapper, you need clubs that are the easiest to hit. Is that correct? In that case, let me introduce you to the Adams Golf Blue Slimtech Graphite Fairway. You won’t find any other fairway wood more comfortable to strike than this one here! Plus, it offers tons of forgiveness too.

Now let’s talk about the part that features the easy launch working mechanism. This system includes the clubhead sole with Adam Golf’s unique Velocity Slot technology. And what such components do is improve face flex along with speed. By uniformly distributing all the power! As a result of which the ball travels really far. Even when you strike very low!

The next remarkable element is the low CG. The presence of low CG adds lots of speed and much-needed spin. On top of that, the slim graphite shaft unlocks more power and kick per launch.

And since we’re talking about launch, let me also tell you that the club is equipped with 17-degree loft. That means it’s designed to give you that perfect high launch. So you know that you can make excellent shots without having to worry about ball travel.

Upon testing, here’s something I found to be very useful. The club weight is nice and light. And even this contributes to the easy hitting of the Adams Golf Blue Fairway. But don’t let this lead you to believe that stability or control gets compromised in the process. As a matter of fact, even a hard swing results in producing controlled shots. And that’s something!

Shortly after putting the Adams Golf Blue Slimtech Graphite Fairway to use, you’ll realize that it doesn’t offer great distances. The pick at hand is an ideal choice for beginners with a high or mid handicap. That’s all.

Adams Golf - Deep Blue

9.TaylorMade Men’s AeroBurner Fairway Wood – For Maximum Durability

What makes this model one of the best fairway woods for high handicappers? The fact that, just like the previous pick, this one too is the easiest to hit! Ask any golfing buddy who you know has used the TaylorMadeAeroBurner Fairway Wood. And he/she will describe the pure ease with which they hit the club.

The TaylorMade wood is light in weight. So when you strike it, you can expect the ball to travel for miles. But it’s the phenomenal aerodynamic shape that you might value the most. It includes an increased center crown and shallow face. Along with an improved hosel fin! All these elements are present to minimize drag. For higher swing speeds!

As for TaylorMade’s Speed Pocket technology, it expands the sweet zone. While also reducing spin for more forgiveness on mishits!

And lastly, the linear crown graphic is the element responsible for easy alignment. So you get your hands on all the confidence AeroBurner has to offer!

Not many fairway woods have a high-strength clubface construction. With that in mind, the addition of such a material and design, in this case, is a huge plus point. Therefore, you can subject the TaylorMadeAeroBurner Fairway Wood to heavy-duty or rough use. Without expecting it to break or bend easily!

The clubhead of the TaylorMadeAeroBurner is great. But the shaft is not. The sad part about this regular flex version is that its tip is softer than it should be. So the ball flight tends to suffer due to this.

AeroBurner - Swing Faster

10.Cobra Golf Men’s KING F7 Fairway Wood – The Bonus Pick

So the bonus pick features an adjustable loft. Something that Cobra always makes it a point to add! But there are a lot of other features too that caught my attention. So let’s discuss each of them below.

For one, the Cobra Golf KING F7 Fairway Wood has a progressive rail structure. This provides steeper or shallower rails based on attack angle and club loft. So you get better turf interaction. Along with consistency from all lies!

Next in line is the presence of CG in the back and front. The 2 different settings allow you to customize trajectory and distance. Under various conditions! Even the high-strength clubface contributes to the success story. By maximizing flex to add more distance and speed!

And I saved the best for the last. What I mean to say is that it’s the Cobra’s MyFly8 technology that steals the show. With 8 adjustable lofts, you can tweak your launch conditions. And manage trajectory at the same time!

So the Cobra Golf KING F7 is a highly advanced model. One that makes the game of golf nothing but convenient for you and your skills!

The Cobra Golf KING F7 Wood is a club that has it all. Double rail system, two discreet CG placements, forged stainless steel inserts, and eight loft settings. So there’s nothing related to performance that you won’t like.

Also, these best fairway woods for high handicappers offer generous accuracy and forgiveness. That means everything is pretty much covered.

So what’s the negative feedback here? Unfortunately, the weight of the Cobra KING F7 in unevenly placed. And when that’s the deal, performance gets severely affected.

We Like

​The Cobra wood includes many adjustable features.

The rails deliver consistent results from any lie.

We Don't Like

Weight distribution is not ideal.

​

KING F6 Baffler Fairway

Buying Guide: Best Fairway Woods for High Handicapper

Let me begin by sharing a secret with you. Breaking 90 or 100 is not an impossible task. It might be difficult, but it’s very much achievable. And the process gets easier if you have the right kind of fairway woods by your side.

So don’t think twice before ditching your golf driver. The best fairway woods for high handicappers have the ability to travel more than 160 yards. That’s the type of golfing weapon you need. Personally, I love the abundant forgiveness and soft landing that fairway woods have to offer.

On top of that, high handicappers benefit the most from fairway woods with an increased loft. As these help in pushing the ball straighter and farther! No wonder the 10 best options discussed in the article feature a higher loft design.

Just imagine having a golf club like that at your disposal. One that allows the ball to go straight and longer each time! So it’s time to get on with the buyer’s guide. At the end of which you’ll understand how to choose the best fairway woods for high handicappers.

What to Buy: Hybrids or Fairway Woods?

The answer to this question depends on your golfing skills. And what you want from your set. More often than not, a single driver, 1-2 fairways woods, and 1-2 hybrids are the deal.

The beauty of fairway woods; they feature a larger clubhead. And it’s this particular head design that offers more forgiveness. It even sends the golf ball higher due to extra backspin.

These clubs work exceptionally well from both the tee and fairway. Whereas hybrids perform better when you use them on the rough! And that’s because hybrids have a smaller head. One that gets the golf ball out and away from bad, uneven lies easily. (3-Wood vs. 3-Hybrid)

So what you can do is check the course that you play on. And also look at the distance you require to reach. Then accordingly select a combo of club and lofts to meet your demands. Keep in mind that 19-degree fairway woods travel further than 19-degree hybrids. And why do you think that is? It’s because the former is equipped with a longer shaft. And that generates extra speed.

Factors to Take into Account in the Best Fairway Woods for High Handicappers

Every golfer should have at least one fairway wood in his/her bag. But if you’re a high handicapper, you need a club specifically crafted to suit your game. So it’s a relief to find out that not all fairway woods have the same design and structure. And here’s how you can choose the best fairway woods for high handicappers.

Loft and Wood Number

Woods, no matter the type, have numbers. These range from 1 to 9. The first wood, that is 1 wood or 1W, is a driver. While the ones over 2 fall into the category of fairway woods.

Then comes the fairway wood loft. This is nothing but the clubface’s angle. And what it does is decide the trajectory.

Typically, lower woods carry low lofts. To be more specific, 4 and 3 woods have the least amount of loft. And that is anything between 13 and 18 degrees. So you can use these types of fairway woods to replace the driver. Woods from 5 till 7 have a mid-loft. And everything above that offers the highest loft.

So for high handicappers and beginners, it’s the woods between 3 and 5 that work like a dream.

Shaft

For fairway woods, graphite shafts are more common. So coming across steel shafts is a rare occurrence. But you should know that the majority of professional golfers use steel shafts. As they help in keeping the ball lower.

Graphite shafts offer optimal height for high handicappers. And beginners, as a matter of fact!

Graphite is a lighter material than steel. Plus, the former also offers abundant flex. So the clubs do a better job at pairing up with different kind of swing speeds.

Clubhead

The clubhead design of fairway woods is smaller when compared to drivers. But that doesn’t mean fairway woods don’t deliver similar power. It’s the club’s head that provides your shot with the much-needed trajectory and power. And that, in turn, promotes better distance and speed. (How golf clubs work)

So a smaller clubhead is ideal for high handicappers. As it optimizes accuracy along with distance and speed!

Loft Adjustment

If you want to improve performance and ball flight, here’s what you require. A fairway wood with an adjustable loft! This feature comes in the form of an invaluable hosel. And it’s present on the clubhead heel.

Moveable Weights

Both drivers and fairway woods offer moveable weights. These are located in the precious sole region of the head. When the wood features a higher weight, it can increase distance and ball speed. But clubs that include variable weights are the kind suitable for high handicappers and beginners. (About weighted golf clubs)

Final Say

My Choice: Callaway Great Big Bertha Fairway Wood

So what’s the final recommendation of the best fairway woods for high handicappers? Without the shadow of a doubt, it’s the Callaway Great Big Bertha Fairway Wood. And why is that? I have plenty of reasons to offer here.

The first one is that this model features OptiFit adjustability. So you get the opportunity to increase or decrease club loft. Even the exceptional technology of the cup face contributes to delivering high performance. The Hyper Speed Forged Face Cup is crafted to offer speed that makes the ball travel far. On both off-center and center hits!

Then the large size of the clubhead brings more forgiveness into action. The Great Big Bertha Fairway Woods are easy and comfortable to hit. So they don’t let you down in areas responsible for providing the most assistance.

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Felicia Taylor

Hello, fellow golfers, I’m Felicia Taylor and as a professional golfer, but I am also just another golfing enthusiast like you, who simply wants to enjoy the sport without constantly worrying about achieving perfection. My goal is to help you get better at the game by spreading the joy that I experience when I’m on that turf.

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